Wednesday, February 27, 2013

MY SON'S LITTLE HAPPINESS WITH MAX'S RESTAURANT




Kyle in his most serious photo to date.

 You’ll see such a contagious joy on my face when I start talking about Kyle, my dear nephew whom I consider as my own. I’ve been happy tending to him than being the career woman I ought to be. I’ve been Kyle’s surrogate mother since I’ve learned about my elder sister’s pregnancy at my college baccalaureate mass. I remember there used to be times when I’d go home late at night and I’d still find Kyle waiting for me even if it’s already past his bedtime because he didn’t want to sleep without me. 

My family: Mom, Kyle and moi

When my nephew Kyle came into our lives, my life has completely changed. I had someone to look after and cared for. Kyle is a special child. He’s got Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. So even if I had to sacrifice my own life (pursuing a career of my own, having a love life—among all the other things I had to give up to focus on him) I had no regrets that I had been present during his most crucial times—his childhood—where his foundation of character had been developed. He’s been my source of strength, pride, and joy. What I had lost far outweighs what I had gained plus more.


Kyle and I love to ham up before the camera.


At certain points, Kyle would run to embrace Mom and me and simply cling to us—wanting every minute to be with us as he always does, and I feel all warm and fuzzy inside as I always do when that happens. I relish it as much as I can because I know that the way he hungers for our time, our company will not be the same forever. Time will come when we will be clinging to him, and love him dearly though he may, he will want to spread his wings and fly on his own. 

Having fun at the Halloween Photobooth


Kyle, Mom and I—we were always together, for many moments of our lives, we were hardly apart from each other. We’re inseparable—traveling together, living together, sharing the same room, and loving each other.  The two of them are my only family. 

We love to do things together as Mom and son




We like photobooths such as this.



Every Sunday, I would bring Kyle to Max’s Restaurant as this is the little one’s only request to his aunt (like a little baby asking his mother). It’s a pass on tradition from my mom to me and from me to my dear adopted son Kyle. In a way it is a form of bonding and quality time with Kyle and my mom. We definitely enjoy savoring the goodness of golden crispy chicken and its sarap-to-the-bones taste that we have grown to love all these years. We love Max’s fried chicken and it would undoubtedly be our last meal on earth. 

Our favorite chicken of all time!

Sour yet tangy Sinigang na hipon


Our Sunday hangout place-Max's Restaurant
Creamy and peanutbuttery Kare-Kare's such a comfort meal.
Budget friendly value meal for everyone.
 
As a writer most of my life, I have experienced the loneliest moments where I was always limited to a social lifestyle and wide networks of friends. I was just grappling with my computer, my articles and my thoughts. As a result, I needed to cling on to Kyle and my mom who gives me moral support, where I get my emotional dependency. 

 
 I was sent to cover an event out-of town which requires me to be away from my son.  And I received a call on my mobile phone from a distant relative. The dreaded news came that Kyle had met an accident. A vehicular accident at that! He’s been wounded. It turned out he was about to buy an ice pop for an older cousin. Since he’s pretty excited for his upcoming dance performance in school,apparently he wore the Jabawockeez mask as he crossed the street, if one realizes he is a boy with special needs.  An Isuzu vehicle driven by an old man had ran over him. Upon hearing these words, my world crumbled in a way I had never imagined. I was in shock! I was blaming myself for leaving him in the company of my other relatives who were slack and not as vigilant as I am.
The mask that my son used when he crossed the street.

I headed straight to the hospital’s emergency room to check out on him as soon as I returned from the province. I brought a Max’s take out bag for his dinner but the hospital prohibits food inside the premises. That was one of the worst scenarios I’ve ever been into: I was forced to eat the food outside. Imagine I had to eat the entire Max’s takeout chicken by my lonesome self.  It actually felt like I had been munching on paper instead of my favorite dinner meal. 

Kyle lying helplessly in the hospital

It was indeed the worst dinner I had in my lifetime. I did not have the appetite for it but I had no option but to eat just so I could finally see my dear nephew in such a pity state. When I was finally allowed to enter the hospital premises, my heart sank. Kyle looked so helpless with an avulsed (read: unskinned) wound on his left foot along with black and blue bruises here and there. If I could turn back time I vow never to leave him out of my sight.  The feeling was unfathomable—I was totally overwhelmed with the rollercoaster of emotions. 


I thank God Kyle’s guardian angel had been there all along when the incident happened. He didn’t have fractures to begin with and that’s something to be happy about.
 
After a few days he was discharged from the hospital. He used crutches to be able to walk normally again for about three weeks, Kyle had that desire to get his life back. Soon after, I was called back to my job.

Kyle using crutches for weeks.
 
As his surrogate mother, I wanted to make my son smile again and in order to make it up to him, while I had been busy with work and even if I wasn’t home yet I decided to place an advance order to give some sort of a small “Welcome Home” party for Kyle by ordering our favorite Max’s specialty meals online at www.maxschicken.com I’ve ordered Crispy Pata, Pancit Canton, Fresh Lumpia, buko pandan and of course, Kyle’s ultimate favorite: Max’s spring Fried Chicken + his fave dessert, a box of Max’s caramel bars (yes, he can finish the entire box by himself!).  That night proved to be fulfilling, knowing fully well how I had made Kyle and my relatives happy as they indulged in such delectable feast. So when I got home that night, it felt good seeing that familiar awe in Kyle’s eyes as he delighted on sumptuous meals he’d missed. (Hey, we all know how hospital foods are, right?) It’s my way of thanking the Lord for giving my beloved nephew another chance to live and be with us. 

Our ultimate favorite Max's Fried Chicken

Crispy yet juicy Lechon Kawali also tops our order's list
Who can forget about Pancit Canton?


Kyle bites on his fave sarap-to-the-bones chicken
 
In a nutshell, no matter how busy life can be for most of us, this incident in my life had taught me how to cherish my family more. LIFE is so precious. Anyone could simply disappear from our lives in a matter of seconds.  Make your loved ones know how much you love them. 

Mom and Kyle eating their fave food dine-in

My family and I
 
With the emergence of e-commerce and online social media platforms (you could get in touch with them on real time wherever you may be on this planet) as well as innovative online delivery services such as Max’s Restaurant’s website where one could send, order and pay meals even bulk orders online, regardless if it’s for dine in, take out, deliver later  (meals delivered at specific date and time so you’ll never miss out on any special occasion) or deliver now—making your presence felt by sending their favorite Max’s goodies is simply just within your fingertips. Filipinos living overseas may now be able to surprise their loved ones anywhere in the Philippines by placing their orders online via www.maxschicken.com or calling Max’s express delivery service at 7-9000. And I can assure you; each meal tastes even better when you’re in the company of those whom you love (even thru Viber or Skype). #Salo-salo Kahit Malayo.



Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

THE BAG WITH A TASK BagsGo Reusable Bags


 

More and more people are becoming aware of the harshness of plastics. Eco-bags are not just a fad but it's also become a necessity as we all do our share to save planet Earth. Let’s face it: we’re all scared of losing the only planet we have. Slowly, we are becoming more eco-aware, and we’re doing whatever small thing we can to save the Earth. This is exactly what this new, revolutionary reusable bag is trying to do: HELP YOU HELP SAVE THE EARTH.

The bag with a task, that’s BagsGo. Created with lightweight RIPSTOP fabric used to make parachutes, tear and water resistant, completely washable and durable, and most importantly, 100% REUSABLE: BagsGo Reusable bags are the perfect alternative to plastic bags, and can be used in various ways. And for every BagsGo sold, a percentage goes to a foundation that supports ethical stewardship of the environment. So not only are you helping to save the Earth, you are also funding an organization to continue doing the same.




So the next time you use one of BagsGo reusable bags, you become part of the mission. You are the person with a task, and you make it happen with your bag. Grab one now at the nearest Fully Booked outlet, Sesou Nature stores, or order online at zalora.com.

please do like and link to their fb page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BagsGo-Reusable-Bags/425604034170293?ref=ts&fref=ts and for more info please refer to their Website  http://www.bags-reusable.com

Monday, February 25, 2013

DAN MEYER’S ANALYTICS FOR DECISION MAKERS SEMINAR

Dan Meyer and the author
 
We’ve all heard it in the news quite recently: the top most in-demand jobs for the next couple of years had been named—ANALYSTS. Be it system analysts, financial analysts or business analysts. Unfortunately, the needs for market demand and supply projections of entry level or fresh graduates aren’t in sync with the number of available positions everyday.  
 
I had been fortunate when I was invited to attend a workshop/seminar on Analytics Training Workshop by Daniel Meyer held recently at the Vista Center, Worldwide Corporate Center, Mandaluyong City. Mr. Dan Meyer had a Master’s Degree in Education and has spent fifteen years with Wells Fargo. How he had found his way to the Philippines had actually been some kind of sheer serendipity.

Bloggers who attended the Analytics seminar

Dan Meyer
 
Back in the US, Mr. Meyer had always been in deep connection with the Filipino community as he hailed from Vallejo, California where 30% of which are Filipinos. His brother even married a Filipina. He liked Filipino foods. His kismet had brought him to our shores some years ago when his company, Wells Fargo had sent him to the country as an analyst. He felt the initial connection or natural affinity with the people that had somehow motivated him to do some big decisions merely based on leap of faith. 

 
It was indeed a life-changing decision as Mr. Meyer uprooted his family in the US to start a new life in a foreign land. “Opportunity knocks only once in a lifetime. I was successful and accomplished with lots of things but I wasn’t satisfied,” Meyer recalls. “I knew I had to do something to fill in that void. All the data was telling me to come to the Philippines to share my knowledge and help more people to learn the tools to help with data gathering. I saw the need for what I do—BPO, training analytics etc.—I feel the need to empower and motivate people to improve their decision making and other stuff,” adds Meyer. 

Businessmen and participants who attended the seminar
 He spends a couple of time reading online keeping abreast of what’s going on as well as get updates on the latest innovation. Mr. Meyer had a knack for connecting with people across multiple audiences and likes to help them unlock what they need in order to succeed.

 
Since I’m not really good in numbers, I honestly don’t know much about analytics (I know a little about Google Analytics) so you could just imagine the overload of information I had received during the said talk. Here I am sharing with you some of the basic things I have learned out of that seminar. But there’s actually more important stuff about analytics, which you can learn when you attend any of his upcoming seminars.

Bloggers at work during the activity


There are two types of analysts discussed during the seminar: Business Analysts is the one who has to know how to make an efficient business strategy while a Financial analyst does all the financial planning and teaching people how to invest properly. 

 
During the seminar, Mr. Meyer had taught us how to find data:
1.    One must identify your data—assess what you need/parameters.
2.    Inventory your data—figure out where to get whatever it is that you need while keeping an inventory of your data sets, which you can use for current and future analysis.
3.    Integrate your data—in cases where you have more than one source of data, you’ll need to combine or integrate the data.

There are three things that influence your decision:
1.    Private Company Databases and Sources
2.    Public Databases and Sources
3.    The Internet
·         A successful analyst must know where and how to find data.

Databases and Warehouses:
1.    Proprietary Databases
-Data used for analysis, which is kept in databases that are built and maintained by an internal IT team. They may use heavily personalized commercial software.
           2.  Off the Shelf Databases—Most data is housed in a commercial database solution like Oracle, MS Access etc. where IT team often work in partnership with database manufacturer.
            3. External Databases-happens when the company does not have its own database.
INTERNET RESEARCH:
1.    Wikipedia—Editable free online content encyclopedia.
2.    Google Search—fastest and easiest
3.    Government Databases—Collection of figures, information by government agency, authority of national and local government.

There have been a couple of group activities throughout the seminar and I’d say although I am not so much into analytics, I’d have to say that I have enjoyed the said experience and have more or less had a grasp of how it affects our lives and how to properly use it.
 At the end of Dan Meyer’s Analytics training, one will be able to say that he or she has stronger understanding of types of data analysts use. Basic internet research skills, ability to find pertinent data, how to sift through data points to find ones that can drive decision making, how a team of analysts working with similar methods and that can come up with different conclusions.
By simply attending a DMAI seminar by Mr. Dan Meyers, you’re sure to be getting what you’ve paid for plus more: you’ll learn his techniques as well as the tricks, understand what analytics is all about, plus gain more friends and future business partners as you mingle and interact with your fellow participants, and most of all, it promises to be fun (it’s not your boring type of talks, I assure you!).

Purple Plum Fairy thanks Janese Halaboso, Mr. Dan Meyers and Ms. Myra Sandico for the invite.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...